HAMPSHIRE captain George Bailey says the “phenomenal” Kyle Abbott, the County Championship’s Most Valuable Player, deserves his fortnight’s rest.

Abbott has overtaken Surrey’s Kumar Sangakkara at the top of the MVP rankings after match figures of 6-73 in the win against Warwickshire took his season’s haul to 35 at just 15.4 apiece.

Now he is set to be rested for this week's floodlit four-day game against South Africa A, which started at The Ageas Bowl yesterday.

Bailey said: “We’ve pumped some overs into him and he’s done a really good job leading the attack.

“He has a two-week break now, which is probably a great thing for a number of guys.”

Abbott, who finished with 4-32 from 18 overs against Warwickshire on Monday, has led an attack missing several injured seamers in recent weeks.

He has also scored 214 runs at 26.75 and replaced Sangakkara at the top of the MVP rankings - the Professional Crickets Association's system that identifies the key influencers of matches  - by becoming the first player to 200 championship points this season.

Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka batsman, was voted the PCA Player of the Month for May but now trails Abbott by 26 points.

“He’s played a hell of a lot of cricket and has only sat out a couple of one-dayers,” continued Bailey.

“But he knows his body as well as anyone and with the two weeks coming up, he was always going to have a good crack on Monday.

“He’s a quality bowler, a great asset whose runs have also been very handy. He’s a terrific cricketer. We’re conscious of not over cooking him but he’ll let us know when he’s had enough.”

Bailey was also impressed with Matt Salisbury against Warwickshire.

With Fidel Edwards and Brad Wheal injured the 24 year-old trialist was given his opportunity in place of his former Essex teammate Reece Topley, who was also left out of the game against South Africa A.

Salisbury wasted no time in making an impact, having Sam Hain caught behind with his first ball before trapping Ian Bell lbw two deliveries later.

“What about that for a first over?!” said Bailey.

“He really impressed. That wicket gets a bit of reverse swing so as the summer goes on and it gets a bit drier that’s a skill he looks like he might have up his sleeve.

“With Reece getting more confidence and Brad Wheal, Woody (Chris Wood) and Fidel to come back,we’re starting to get a stable of fast bowlers.

“You need to have five, six or seven fast bowlers who can step in when needed.”